'I Just Wanted to Get it Over and Done With': A Grounded Theory of Psychological Need Frustration...
summary
Semi-structured interviews with 12 participants and a constructivist grounded theory analysis produce a process model: players enter with expectations, encounter concrete need-frustrating events (toxicity, repeated boss failure, forced mundane tasks, server outages), then update expectations and either reduce emotional investment, change play, or quit. Need frustration occurs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness; every interviewee gives examples and current quantitative measures prove insufficient.
AI-written summary · about
related talks
08mDisengagement From Games: Characterizing the Experience and Process of Exiting Play Sessions
16mThe Role of Uncertainty in Moment-to-Moment Player Motivation: A Grounded Theory
51mThe alchemy of player motivation
58mThe Psychology of Play: The Power of Understanding Your Players
34mGames ≠ Subjective: How to craft engaging experiences by knowing your players
15m"Horror, guilt and shame" -- Uncomfortable Experiences in Digital Games
18m"An Odd Kind of Pleasure": Differentiating Emotional Challenge in Digital Games
08mToxicity by Game Design: How Players Perceive the Influence of Game Design on Toxicity